New Law Protects Bison Alongside Cows, Llamas
Texans can now rest assured that their bison are protected under the state's agriculture code if they wander off their property. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Southern plains bison from the Goodnight heard are raised for meat on Hugh Fitzsimons's SHAPE Ranch in Carrizo Springs, TX, February, 21, 2013.]()
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In North Texas, Struggle to Conserve Water and Prepare for Growth
Building the reservoirs and pipelines to keep up with the Dallas-Fort Worth region's surging population growth will cost billions of dollars. But environmentalists say conservation must come first. Full Story
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Credit: Brandon Thibodeaux -
Poor Texans' Electric Bills to Dive, Then Go Back Up
The Legislature ensured that a fund to help poor Texans with their electricity bills went to its intended purpose. But it also agreed to empty the fund by 2017. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Plan to Convert Paved Roads to Gravel Begins Despite Local Concerns
Lawmakers and rural residents worry unpaved roads will create safety hazards and reduce property values. But the Texas Department of Transportation says converting paved roads to gravel is the only safe plan it can afford. Full Story
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![A damaged portion of the IH 37 frontage road, south of FM 99 in Live Oak County, Texas on Friday, August 16, 2013. The road is on a list of roads that the Texas Department of Transportation has announced will be converted to gravel because the agency lacks funds to keep them maintained at a safe level.]()
Credit: Eddie Seal -
Creighton Releases First Ag Commissioner Campaign Video
A week after launching his bid for agriculture commissioner, state Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, has released his first campaign video, in which he promises to continue his "stand against the continued overreach of the federal government." Full Story
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Businesses Choose Reality Over Politics in Backing New Emissions Law
Despite some Texas politicians' drumbeat against environmental regulations, the Legislature ordered the state to regulate greenhouse gases this year, with backing from big energy companies. Full Story
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Credit: Louis Vest -
Guadalupe River State Park Cuts Back on Water Service
Because of drought-related water shortages, Texas Parks and Wildlife has cut water service to Guadalupe River State Park’s three campgrounds and restrooms on most weekdays. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Theodore Scott / Todd Wiseman -
Environmental Concerns Rise as Brazos Levels Fall
Concerns over water levels in the Brazos River have sparked debate over who gets to use the river's water, how much water should be used and how much water should be left to keep the river healthy. Full Story
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Credit: Gabriel Cristóver Pérez -
In Video, Smitherman Calls for "Conservative Crusade" Against Obama, EPA
Railroad Commission Chairman and Texas attorney general candidate Barry Smitherman released a new campaign video in which he promises to protect Texans against the "job-killing policies" of the Obama administration and the EPA. Full Story
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Boater Education Courses Target Invasive Species
One way that invasive aquatic species like the zebra mussel can spread across Texas waterways is via boats that aren't cleaned. New legislation requires boater education courses to address the importance of cleaning boats. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Christopher J. Churchill, a biologist for the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey, displays several zebra mussels found along the shoreline of Lake Ray Roberts, near Sanger, Texas, Jul. 18, 2013.]()
Credit: Brandon Thibodeaux -
Visualization: Texas Water Plan's Most Expensive Projects
Cities, counties and rural water user groups across Texas submitted thousands of project ideas for the 2012 State Water Plan. Explore the most expensive projects regions submitted with our visualization. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / Ryan Murphy -
Whooping Crane Case Poised to Have Impact on State's Water Supplies
A federal appeals court will hear arguments Thursday in a lawsuit over whooping cranes that could have major implications for Texas water supplies and for natural resource planning across the United States. Full Story
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![Whooping Crane in flight in Texas.]()
Credit: John Noll / USDA -
Keeping Old Oil Wells from Leaking
When it comes to drilling deep into Texas to bring up oil and natural gas, things can go wrong. Sometimes wells, especially old ones, leak. Full Story
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![Roughnecks repair a leaking oil well near downtown Kilgore.]()
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The Nexus of Water and Energy
Texas needs more water and more power, and the two are highly dependent on each other. University of Texas energy professor Michael Webber talks with Terrence Henry of StateImpact Texas about that relationship. Full Story
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Lawmakers Working to Convince Voters on Water Funding
Most state lawmakers have been focusing on transportation funding these days. But several of them have their eyes on a different prize: convincing voters to support putting dollars aside for water projects. Full Story
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Water Legislation to Lift Agency's Profile
The new water bill has raised the profile of the Texas Water Development Board, which loans money for water projects and could be a powerful player in shaping water policy in the coming decades. Full Story
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Feds Approve Texas' Request for West Recovery
The West community will receive additional federal funding to rebuild following the explosion of a fertilizer depot in April that killed 15 people and flattened much of the town, Gov. Rick Perry announced on Friday. Full Story
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![A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco.]()
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Video: Ag Commissioner Hopeful Opiela Touts His Roots
In a web video titled "Future Generations," Republican agriculture commissioner candidate Eric Opiela highlights his deep ranching roots in South Texas and criticizes the White House's policies. Full Story
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San Antonio Officials Investigating Eagle Ford Shale's Effect on Ozone
As the ozone rating in San Antonio continues its slow upward march, area officials are beginning to investigate whether oil and gas drilling in the Eagle Ford Shale has anything to do with it. But their efforts are fraught with complications. Full Story
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Restrictions to Increase as Edwards Aquifer at Near-Historic Low
The Edwards Aquifer is the subject of new pumping restrictions that are being announced Wednesday. San Antonio's water utility, which relies significantly on the aquifer, says that the city can avoid further restrictions of its own if it follows the authority's guidelines. Full Story
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![A view downstream from the headwaters of the San Marcos River. Water from the Edwards Aquifer flows from San Marcos Springs into the San Marcos River.]()
Credit: Jason Samfield